Tree lighting to honor Mississippi crime victims

Attorney General Jim Hood and the Office's Crime Victim Compensation Division holds the event each year for victims, their families and those who work to serve them. The ceremony is designed to honor those who have survived violent criminal acts and to recognize the surviving family members of homicide victims. This year's ceremonial theme is "Rejoice."

"We wanted this ceremony to be uplifting for our victims," said Attorney General Hood. "We rejoice in the hope our advocates bring to our victims and in the hope for justice. This ceremony is our way of paying tribute to victims and letting their loved ones know they have support in the wake of such tragedy."

"The holidays are traditionally a time of hustle and bustle, giving and receiving gifts, baking and cooking. A time of joy! But, for victims of violent crimes, traditional joy is lost in the trauma of living with the awful memories of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, and the homicide of a loved one. We need to remember the victims and the survivors of violent crimes. The survivors need to know that WE recognize their losses," said Doris Weaver, Advocate/ Survivors of Homicide Victims Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence in Biloxi.

The ceremony will take place in the lobby of the Walter Sillers Building (where the executive offices of the Attorney General are located), 550 High Street, Jackson on Monday at 10:30a.m..

The event is a service of the Crime Victim Compensation Division of the Office of the Attorney General whose purpose is to provide financial assistance, information, advocacy and support to victims of violent crime and their family members. The Division operates with revenue derived from fees, fines and assessments imposed on criminals, court ordered restitution and federal grants. For more information on the program, please call (800) 829-6766 or (601) 359-6766.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.